The Near-Zero Emission and Resilient Buildings - Shared Definitions, Indicators, Frameworks, and Policy Guidance for Implementation report was developed under the Buildings Breakthrough Priority International Action on “Standards and Certification”.

This landmark report represents a significant step forward in supporting the global transition towards Near-Zero Emission and Resilient Buildings (NZERBs). It provides a common, practical framework to guide governments, cities, and industry in aligning climate mitigation and resilience objectives across the building sector. Building on the 2025 Interim Report, this final report moves from principles to implementation. It introduces:

• A consolidated definition of NZERBs;
• Core building blocks covering operational and embodied emissions, energy efficiency, low-carbon energy, refrigerants, sufficiency, and resilience;
• A harmonised set of indicators and metrics aligned with existing standards and certification systems;
• Comprehensive policy guidance to support national and local implementation.

The framework emphasises a harmonised yet flexible approach, enabling countries to define targets in line with 1.5°C-compatible pathways, local conditions, and capacities, while improving comparability across jurisdictions. It also promotes a shift toward measured, real-world performance and integrates climate resilience as a central pillar alongside decarbonisation.

The report was developed under the Buildings Breakthrough* –launched at COP28, and coordinated by the UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC)– with technical leadership from the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC). It reflects extensive international consultation and collaboration across governments, industry, and civil society. The Buildings Breakthrough aims to make NZERBs the global norm by 2030, and this report provides a critical tool to help translate that ambition into action.

_{*NB: Following recent governance adjustments within GlobalABC, coordination of the Buildings Breakthrough is now integrated into existing GlobalABC structures. Intergovernmental dialogue is convened through the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Construction (ICBC), while progress across priority areas is advanced through GlobalABC working groups and reflected in the NZERB Plan to Accelerate Solutions (PAS). The Buildings Breakthrough was co-led by France and Morocco, endorsed by 29 countries, supported by the European Commission, and engaged over 30 initiatives.}
 

The buildings and construction sector is central to achieving global climate targets. Representing approximately 37% of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, it must be largely decarbonized by 2050, while its climate resilience must be urgently enhanced. Achieving this transformation requires a massive scaling-up of investment, yet the current gap stands at a minimum of $100 billion annually. However, bridging this financing gap is not simply a matter of mobilizing more capital; there are critical shortfalls in the structure and capacity of international institutions to promote and finance Near-Zero Emissions and Resilient Buildings (NZERB).

In response, this study, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear (BMUKN), in partnership with and with the support of UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) Secretariat, provides a landscape overview of NZERB financing and technical assistance facilities to identify institutional gaps and formulate recommendations for a more effective approach. 

To gather information, a survey was conducted to assess two tiers of institutions and facilities that support NZERB investment using a standardized template. The analysis reveals a fragmented and reactive financing landscape. Except for a few dedicated facilities, NZERB projects represent a very small portion of the portfolios of large financing institutions, which generally lack specific frameworks for supporting them.

The survey identified several critical gaps:
• Strategic and knowledge gaps: A lack of strategic focus within major institutions, reinforced by poor data and the absence of standardized definitions, metrics, and monitoring for NZERB.
• Institutional and actor gaps: No central coordinating body to guide the NZERB ecosystem, coupled with limited access for the private sector and low engagement from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) due to high transaction costs.
• Financial and pipeline gaps: A reliance on inadequate financial instruments (grants and loans) that fail to scale investment, a weak project pipeline, and a bias toward energy projects with clear financial returns over those with non-monetized resilience benefits. 
 

To address these gaps, the study proposes an integrated framework to scale NZERB investment, built on three pillars (see Figure 2):
• Pillar 1: Standardized NZERB criteria and investment mechanisms
• Pillar 2: Viable and locally adapted business models
• Pillar 3: Local capacity for implementation and financing
 

The analysis concludes that the key is not a lack of capital, but the need to maximize access to current financing mechanisms through a more coordinated and standardized approach. This will involve catalytic action to coordinate with international agencies, financing institutions, and national implementing partners. Key recommendations include promoting market development by fostering alignment between green building standards and climate finance taxonomies; de-risking investment through guarantees and blended finance; building local capacity within regulatory bodies and financial institutions; and strengthening institutional coordination to build a robust ecosystem for NZERB investment.
 

Climate adaptation and resilience for buildings (self-paced training and capacity building) by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and World Bank Group

The e-learning course will serve as an introductory course providing an overview of basic concepts of climate mitigation and adaptation for housing and commercial buildings. By the end of this course users will be able to understand about climate and natural hazards and vulnerabilities in buildings to better mitigate risks.

Learn more here: https://www.resilienceindex.org/training

Launched by the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) at COP30 in Belém on November 11th 2025, this ministerial commitment positions housing affordability and climate sustainability as interconnected priorities. It calls on governments to integrate climate action into housing policy, establish innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable affordable housing, and align national policies with climate goals by 2030–2035.

The construction sector in Mexico is a fundamental pillar of the national economy. It accounts for approximately 7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employs around 4.5 million people. The construction market in Mexico is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% between 2025 and 2034, according to expert reports.

Not only is the construction sector crucial to urban development, but it also faces a significant challenge: the need to adopt sustainable practices. With growing urban development and demand for infrastructure, the opportunity arises to transform construction with a more responsible and energy-efficient model.

In this context, GBCI Mexico, PEEB Cool, SUMe and THREE Environmental Consulting collaborated in the development of the Green Financing Guide for Sustainable Buildings. This resource seeks to connect the financial and construction sectors, promoting the use of financial instruments that facilitate the development of sustainable buildings. The guide is presented as an essential tool for builders, developers and other stakeholders, providing access to clear information on green financing options and compiling case studies and success stories that demonstrate the economic benefits of such practices.

Main objectives

The guide has two main objectives: to boost the development of sustainable buildings through the promotion of green financial instruments and to encourage the creation of financial models that accelerate the sustainable building market in Mexico. This effort is crucial, considering that the construction sector is one of the largest consumers of natural resources, energy and generators of waste.

In addition, the guide details the current situation in Mexico regarding the applicable legislation and sustainable taxonomy, as well as how sustainable building certifications complement the available financial instruments. It includes a compendium of financing tools, an overview of the process for obtaining green financing and relevant contacts for evaluating projects.

Participants

The guide was developed with the participation of eight commercial entities, Banorte, BBVA Mexico, Banco Inmobiliario Mexicano (BIM), HSBC, Mifel, Sabadell, Santander and Scotiabank, and three development banks, Bancomext, International Finance Corportation (IFC) and NAD Bank, as well as important Mexican organizations that have benefited from green finance instruments such as Fibra Uno, Fibra Macquarie and Vinte and other confidential participants.

The guide will be updated annually, with the aim of reflecting market developments and increasing the participation of financial institutions. This initiative represents a significant step toward the integration of sustainable practices in the urban development of Mexico, contributing to the creation of more resilient and responsible communities.

In 2024, the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) continued to strengthen its position as the leading global platform for a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient built environment. Membership rose to 339, including 42 countries—with a 19% growth from low- and middle-income countries—while the Alliance expanded its impact through high-level convenings, strategic partnerships, and the launch of the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC). From publishing flagship reports and roadmaps to coordinating COP29’s Buildings Pavilion and mobilizing private sector action, GlobalABC is driving systemic change across the buildings sector worldwide.

As the world works toward the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, the buildings and construction sector stands at a critical intersection of climate action, sustainable development, and urban resilience.

This first report from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) Subnationals Action Group focuses on the importance of localizing climate action. It highlights how subnational governments, in collaboration with national authorities, the private sector, and civil society, can drive meaningful change by integrating sustainability, resilience, and circularity into building policies and practices.

With more than half of the global population living in urban areas—and this figure expected to rise—the report examines how cities and local governments are well-positioned to implement climate-responsive solutions. It explores opportunities for multilevel governance, sectoral linkages, and inclusive planning, offering examples and recommendations to support a just and equitable transition.

The report also underscores the need for investment and innovation to scale up efforts, reduce emissions across the building life cycle, and ensure access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. It calls for a holistic, people-centered approach to decarbonization and resilience in the built environment—grounded in informed choices, coordinated action, and strong partnerships.

The 2024 Building and Climate Global Forum Report serves as a valuable resource for reflection and action in the field of buildings and climate. This major event brought together over 1,500 participants from more than 70 countries, fostering dialogue among international experts, government representatives, and private sector leaders.

With a strong focus on innovation, research, and education, the report captures key insights from the plenary and parallel sessions. A dedicated team of experts, students, and alumni contributed to summarizing discussions, ensuring the dissemination of critical knowledge on sustainable development challenges in the built environment.

This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of ADEME (The French Agency for Ecological Transition), École nationale des ponts et chaussées and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), and the commitment of nearly 50 rapporteurs, whose contributions played a crucial role in the success of this project. The report stands as a testament to collective efforts in advancing sustainable solutions for the buildings and construction sector.

The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR), published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), provides an annual snapshot of the progress of the buildings and construction sector on a global scale. The Buildings-GSR reviews the status of policies, finance, technologies and solutions to monitor whether the sector is aligned with the Paris Agreement goals.

The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 - Not just another brick in the wall highlights progress made on related global climate goals and calls for greater ambition on six challenges, including building energy codes, renewable energy, and financing. Global frameworks and initiatives such as Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate, the Buildings Breakthrough and the Declaration de Chaillot are sustaining momentum towards adopting ambitious climate action plans, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), for net-zero buildings ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil.

Despite this progress, the sector remains a key driver of the climate crisis, consuming 32 per cent of global energy and contributing to 34 per cent of global CO2 emissions. The sector is dependent on materials like cement and steel that are responsible for 18% of global emissions and are a major source of construction waste.

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